Commander Wesley North has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Military Division in the Australia Day honours list, recognising his meritorious service in submarine engineering and technical submariner workforce development.

An accomplished naval engineer and submariner, Commander North has made a sustained contribution to Australia’s submarine capability by integrating technical expertise with people‑centred leadership. 

His work has strengthened the engineering foundations of the submarine force and the specialist workforce required to sustain it.

Commander North demonstrated exceptional initiative in addressing complex engineering issues across the Collins-class submarine force.

Through rigorous engineering analysis, strengthened governance and effective collaboration across Navy and industry, he contributed to the remediation of systemic challenges that directly affected platform availability, safety and sustainment performance.

Recognising that submarine capability depends as much on skilled people as on technology, Commander North placed a strong emphasis on technical workforce development. 

He provided insightful leadership to enhance engineering professionalism, mentoring and training pathways for submariners. 

Commander North said he was honoured to receive the Medal of the Order of Australia. 

“This recognition reflects the dedication, professionalism and resilience of the submariners, engineers and support teams I have had the privilege to serve alongside throughout my career,” he  said.

“The work of sustaining and strengthening Australia’s submarine capability is a collective effort, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the development of our technical workforce and the future of our submarine enterprise.”

His service exemplifies the values of Navy and highlights the importance of strong engineering leadership in Australia’s undersea warfare capability.